great experience! they were so accommodating and really friendly. the area was also nice and clean.read more

Terrible customer service. No instruction and the two people on the dock just kept looking at their…read morephones. Would not recommend.

Did the paddle boats at the Tidal Basin and it was such a fun little moment…read more Super chill, easy to do, and the views are beautiful--especially with the cherry blossoms out. It's one of those simple activities that just makes the day feel special. Perfect if you're out walking around DC and want to switch it up for a bit. I'd definitely do it again.

Such a great experience. Did this on a Friday early afternoon and it was slow. I believe we were…read morethe first one to go out that day. With that being said it was a fast process from signing waivers and getting on the boat. Staff was friendly and had positive attitudes. Looking forward to doing this again!

I am accustomed to wonderfully friendly and accommodating kayak companies and this one did not hit…read morethat standard. Booking was easy enough, and we checked in at the main dock, then walked down to the launch. The employee who was assisting with the kayaks seemed very tired and uninterested. We had some questions about kayaking parameters, and he responded with short, off-putting, counters. Upon entering my kayak, I saw that the interior was wet and I asked for a dryer option. He said it was not available, and the water quickly soaked into my clothes. It was one of those moments, where I looked at the stacks of kayaks and wondered why a different one was not available. Once on the water, the sights are cool! But be aware, you cannot access the tidal basin. It was a fun way to explore DC even with wet clothes.

My partner and I rented two hydra-bikes and we had a great time. The folks helping us were laid…read moreback and helpful. I think that type of easy-going approach is odd for some people, but we really enjoyed not feeling rushed, judged, or overwhelmed with lots of info and overzealous customer service. We got a quick explanation of how to ride and where to ride and were off. They let us leave 10min early and still honored our entire 1hr reservation. We saw other kayakers and folks on the hydra-bikes and everyone was all smiles. The views from the river are so nice! I want to find a place like this back home- simple, no frills, and fun!

Great charter with Captain Daniel. Nice clean boat and he was very knowledgeable about the history,…read morelocal waters and wildlife. So much to see and really enjoyed our day on the water.

From the owner: Private customized adventures that can include powerboat cruising, fishing options, kayaking,…read morepaddleboarding, shark teeth/fossil hunting, secluded islands and beach exploration, incredible marine life plus stunning sunset cruises in picturesque Southern Maryland. A photographer's paradise and a uniquely awesome family, friends or colleagues experience like no other. We pride ourselves on personal service, safety and flexibility. Every outing is tailored to your interests - whether you want an action packed day on the water or a relaxing cruise surrounded by breathtaking views and marine life. Book your adventure today and discover why the Chesapeake Bay is one of the East Coast's most beautiful and diverse waterways.

I completely adore Nathan and his methods of instruction. I originally started my fledgling…read morekayaking career with another kayaking school in the DC area and their methods just really do not work for me. Nathan is great at keeping his classes small so he can work one on one with each student to discover how they learn the sport best, and then work with them at that level. Over one summer my paddling has advanced more than I could possibly hope (which is all I have ever paddled) so that is a huge testament to Nathan and his approach to teaching. Additionally, Nathan and his team of instructors are great at pushing you to stretch to the next level when you are comfortable and knowing when that should happen while not holding you back. I am not kidding, I went from knowing how to sit in a whitewater kayak on flatwater to rolling, to advanced strokes, to running Class III rapids in one summer thanks to their instruction. Not only is the instruction good, Nathan will also go above and beyond helping you with getting the right gear and answering questions when you need it, because you know you are learning a new sport. If you are interested in learning whitewater kayaking and are in the DC area, this is the school to go with. Do not mess with the other schools and their hyped up promises. Plus Nathan has a series of fun boats you can demo too. :)

I am posting this review to urge prospective guests to exercise extreme caution and to call on…read moremanagement to address severe safety oversights. Despite having prior rafting experience and maintaining strong physical fitness, this individual tubing trip presented hazardous conditions with virtually no on-water safety support. ​Key Issues Observed: ​No Helmets Suggested or Required: Helmets were not recommended, suggested, or provided for navigating rocky rapids. I capsized and hit my head on submerged rocks--a dangerous hazard that warrants clear guidance and mandatory head protection. ​Zero Rescue Personnel: No river guides or safety kayakers were stationed along technical sections. When participants were pinned against rocks or stranded in strong currents, there was no staff to assist. ​Inadequate Instruction & Extreme Strain: Relying solely on arm paddling through boulder gardens offers minimal control and quickly causes physical exhaustion, even for fit individuals. ​Equipment Failures: Some tubes were punctured by sharp rocks, leaving guests stranded in turbulent water with no emergency extraction protocol. Commercial river outfitters have a basic duty of care to provide essential protective gear, clear instruction, and active supervision. I strongly advise making sure these safety practices are in place before booking unless you have experience and are comfortable without the precautions.

We spent a full day at River Riders, splitting our time between the Harpers Ferry Waterpark in the…read moremorning and the Aerial Adventure Park in the afternoon. It was a great combination for both the kids and adults. The inflatable waterpark kept the kids busy for the entire session. El Jefe, the large slide, and Thor, the climbing tower and slide, were our favorites. I strongly recommend booking one of the first sessions during the summer. We went early when it was less crowded, and it became noticeably busier later. In the afternoon, we completed the green and blue aerial trails. Both were a lot of fun, and the progression from one to the next worked well. Overall, River Riders is an excellent choice for families or groups looking for an active full day near Harpers Ferry.

Chaotic dock environment in the mornings with many unsupervised student crews moving boats. I got…read morehit in the head by one once. No apparent dockmaster. I've seen dogs running on the dock and kids playing catch. There are personal items including clothing, shoes, and bottles left underfoot up and down the dock. The person answering the reservation line sounds totally out of it, like they are impaired. This business needs much better supervision. Hopefully new staff will correct things in the 2026 season.

The process to rent a kayak was pretty straightforward on the website. We went on a Wednesday and…read morewe were lucky enough to get parking right beside the dock. The girl helping us with the kayak was friendly. We were experienced at kayak and didn't need any pointers. The route for this spot allowed us to go around Theodore Roosevelt Island. A really beautiful setting on picture perfect summer day.

Just getting into kayaking so I took some pool lessons with CKAPCO. Outstanding instruction…read more Their calculated roll progression and focused lessons had me rolling on my own in two sessions! My roll isn't quite river-ready, but I'm getting there much faster with top notch instructors helping to build the skill.

From the owner: We teach kayaking and Canoeing from beginning to advanced students in Reston Va and the nearby…read morePotomac,Shenandoah and Rappahannock rivers. Canoe too. We also lead paddling trips. All kayaks and gear are provided. See our website www.ckapco.com or call 703 850 1257

Needed some time with nature....my mind gets to wondering all over...figured this would be the…read moreperfect thing for my son and I as we get ready for the school year. Wanted a kayak place that wasn't crowded with easy entry and exit. I couldn't find and promos but that's cool....the price for a double is comparable to most. Splurge for the 2 hours because it's only $10 more. Take in the sights and enjoy some conversation. Customer service was just right....before you knew it we were in the kayak and on our way...for the record I did most of the work

I was on vacation last month and went back to my former home state to do something active and fun…read morelo and behold: Capital SUP. I have been going to this business for years and have now been to all 3 locations. The people working here are very friendly and helpful. The location of Quiet Waters is awesome, very serene place. A nice little walk from the parking lot about 10 mins surrounding by beautiful trees and wineberries. Also cool that they have classes and yoga SUP. This was one of the highlights of my trip. Thank you.

Dan set us up with safety precautions to ensure that we had an excellent day on the water. He was…read morekind, thorough and helpful in lining our boat back up correctly. Demetri helped us us get set up for the "last mile" of boat operation so that it was easy to learn before we set out. Thank you both for an amazing day with Goboat. I'd highly recommend visiting this business for a fun activity and hope to be back soon! Sameer

One Star -- Safety and Customer Service Should Come Before Blame…read more I genuinely wish I could give zero stars. What was supposed to be an enjoyable birthday outing became one of the worst customer-service experiences I've encountered. Our reservation was 7-9 p.m. GoBoat emphasized arriving by 6:40 to avoid losing rental time, so we arrived at 6:15 p.m. After approximately five unanswered calls and watching groups who arrived after us get boarded first, we finally departed around 7:12 p.m. Our boat wasn't even fully prepared--the top covering we purchased had to be installed after we reminded staff. Jamal provided basic operating and route instructions, which we followed. However, no joint pre-rental inspection of the boat, electric motor, or propeller was conducted with us, so its condition was never established to us before departure. At approximately 8:12 p.m., while following the instructed route, another passenger and I heard/felt something underneath the boat. It was nighttime with low visibility, the water was not transparent, and debris was present. Immediately afterward, everyone noticed the motor/propeller making a noise it had not made previously. We immediately reported it rather than continuing the outing. Jocelyn placed the boat in neutral and steered toward the dock. Jamal and Miles were genuinely concerned and assisted us back safely, and I appreciate them. Unfortunately, management's response was entirely different. General Manager Steve immediately blamed us, stated we should be financially responsible under the waiver, and came across as rude, accusatory, and condescending. The owner, Roberto, also attributed the damage to us, discussing the expense of propeller repairs and stating they hadn't "even reached the surface" of what repairs could cost. Yet neither management response began with the most important questions: Is everyone okay? What happened? That bothered me more than anything. We followed GoBoat's instructions, promptly reported the problem, stopped operating the boat, and had never been shown the propeller's condition beforehand. Jamal also told us we weren't the first group this had happened to. I am not claiming the equipment was previously damaged--I simply disagree with immediately assigning fault without first investigating what happened. GoBoat ultimately decided not to charge us, but maintained that we caused the damage. By the time everything was discussed, it was approximately 8:43 p.m., making their offer to restart on another boat impractical due to our other obligations. We effectively received about one hour of a two-hour birthday outing. Roberto promised a gift card for our unused time, valid through October 31. As of this review, we still haven't received it. Frankly, the gift card is the least of my concerns because this experience has made me reluctant to operate another GoBoat. For a business putting customers on the water, SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT. Management should first ensure everyone is safe, determine what happened, inspect the equipment, and then determine responsibility--not immediately blame customers and discuss how much they'll potentially owe. I appreciate Jamal and Miles for their assistance, but the delayed/unprepared departure, unanswered calls, lack of a joint pre-rental inspection, lost rental time, immediate presumption of fault, management's tone, and lack of initial concern for our safety made this an exceptionally disappointing experience. The mechanical issue could have simply been an unfortunate occurrence. Management's handling of it is what earned the one-star review. DON'T GOBOAT, GO ELSEWHERE!